Wisdom Tooth Pain Symptoms and Aftercare Instructions
The term wisdom teeth refers to the last molars located in the back of your mouth, and they typically begin to grow around age 17 or 18. While some people experience no pain at all when their wisdom teeth begin to appear, others may experience swelling, irritation, or an infection that can lead to extreme tooth pain and other symptoms. Follow this short guide on wisdom tooth pain symptoms and aftercare instructions so you can recover from your wisdom teeth as quickly as possible.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are one of four sets of molars located in our mouths. They are located at the very back of our mouths and usually emerge between our late teens or early twenties. Once they do start to come through, many people will experience problems including tooth decay or even a wisdom tooth infection (often referred to as pericoronitis). When experiencing painful symptoms after a wisdom tooth removal it’s important to know about proper care for your teeth and gums so you can properly recover from surgery and avoid complications.
What is wisdom tooth pain?
If your wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to grow into, they can cause a range of symptoms. It’s possible for them to cause you no pain at all, but more commonly they will make you feel pain in your mouth or in your face. Occasionally people also report that they feel headaches or swelling around their jaws when their wisdom teeth are impacted. If left untreated, these problems can continue to get worse, which is why it’s best to deal with it before it gets out of hand. You can learn how to deal with wisdom tooth pain by taking a few simple steps.
How do I know if I have impacted wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are misaligned molars that don’t break through to become visible in your mouth until adulthood. They can be uncomfortable or even painful once they grow in, especially when wisdom teeth start pushing on adjacent teeth and bone. While impacted wisdom teeth often cause pain, it can be difficult to know if you have impacted wisdom teeth without consulting a dentist. Many people think they have impacted wisdom teeth but have normal molars instead—you may not notice problems until your 30s or 40s, when wisdom tooth symptoms like swelling or decay begin to appear.
What can I do to relieve my symptoms?
There are a few ways to relieve your symptoms in the short term. Ice packs can help reduce swelling, and a pain reliever such as ibuprofen can alleviate some of your aches. Be sure not to overdo it with acetaminophen, however; too much can be harmful to your liver. If you’re still experiencing pain after a couple days, make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist may clean out any infection that’s caused by trapped food particles in between teeth. If there’s no infection, your dentist will probably recommend removing one or more wisdom teeth—but it depends on how comfortable you are with having three fully intact molars instead of four or five. You’ll need to weigh whether missing teeth is worth the risk of further issues down the road…
When should I see my dentist?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s probably time to make an appointment with your dentist. If you delay care and wisdom tooth pain gets worse, there may be nothing that can be done to completely relieve your discomfort. Many dentists offer same-day appointments for teeth emergencies like wisdom tooth pain; call ahead to schedule yours. In addition to a dental exam and x-rays, your dentist may also give you an antibiotic or pain reliever; both are designed to help you get through the next few days. The important thing is to get treatment from a dentist who can figure out what’s causing your soreness—and help keep it from getting worse in future.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction Procedure
Wisdom teeth—or third molars—are a normal part of human anatomy, present in approximately 80 percent of adults. In some cases, these bottom molars can grow in sideways or become impacted (stuck) due to limited room in a person’s mouth. If left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause serious oral health issues like pain, infections, crowding or damage to adjacent teeth. As you can imagine, it makes sense to remove wisdom teeth when they’re causing problems. Read on for information about how your dentist will go about extracting your wisdom teeth and what you can expect during post-operative recovery. Be sure to ask if you have any questions!
Home Remedies for Wisdom Teeth Removal Aches and Pains
Nothing is worse than having a toothache, especially when it’s because your wisdom teeth are coming in. The following home remedies for wisdom teeth removal aches and pains may help to ease some of your discomfort. Ice Pack : Holding an ice pack to your face can relieve pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth or an irritated sinus. Don’t let ice directly touch your gums—use a washcloth or towel to create a barrier between the ice and skin. Heat Pack : Applying heat to your face also eases pain from impacted wisdom teeth or sinus infections. This can be achieved with heat packs, heating pads, hot water bottles, towels soaked in warm water, etc.
